Everybody gets caught up about corners, but like anything, it's an entirely learnable process. Out of all the racetracks in the world, my favourite hairpin is still the infamous first corner at La Source, in Belgium. It's got all the right elements: open and very wide on the exit with a lovely camber you can use to great effect. It's not difficult, but the difficulty comes from timing and getting the power on soon enough. The answer with every corner you drive is to make it as open as you can and take it as fast as you can. It's the only way to really nail a hairpin.

tip 01

THE STRAIGHT CORNER

No matter what corner you're driving, the most important thing is to drive it straight. Let's say you came to a hairpin at an easy 70 mph; as you begin your approach, you have to brake the car in a nice straight line.

tip 02

THE RIGHT LINE

Whatever side the corner is on, move to the opposite side of the road as you come up to it. So, if it is a right-hander then you're on the extreme left-hand side of the road, just a little bit in from the edge, and vice versa.

tip 03

GET IN GEAR

Don't wait until you arrive at the corner to get into the right gear. In the last few yards of your braking, slot down into the gear you require to drive the corner with. Come off the clutch and as you're engaging the gear, simultaneously come off the brakes and you're ready to turn into the corner.

tip 04

APPLY THE POWER

You've almost past the corner when you turn in. As you're facing out of it, apply the power - the car needs to be driven. So your brakes aren't on, your foot is not on the clutch and you're not going into the corner with the car in neutral or with no revs. Once you're out, straighten up, change up a gear and drive on.

a hairpin corner and a hospital corner. Ask me how to make a hospital corner and we'll be here a while - though I am rather good at those, too.

tip 03

TURNING TOO SOON

If you turn in too soon and then put the power on, the car will slide across into the wall, into an unsuspecting farm animal or even over the bank. As with everything, knowing when to turn and when to apply the power takes practice. The more you do it, the better you become.